Schleswig-Holstein, which is the northernmost state in western Germany, is the homeland of the proud surname Buchwalter. The name Buchwalter, which is a local surname, reveals that the original bearer of the name once lived, held land, or was born in this beautiful region of Schleswig. In the Holy Roman Empire, hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules and after the 12th century, names that were derived from localities became increasingly widespread. Local names originally denoted the proprietorship of the village or estate. When coupled with the German preposition von, which means from or of, local names can indicate that the bearer of the name was an aristocrat. However, in modern times, the von is frequently dropped from the surname.

The surname Buchwalter was first found in Schleswig-Holstein, where the name could be considered to make a great early contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of early development of Europe. The name became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses which played important roles in the savage tribal and national conflicts, each group seeking power and status in an ever-changing territorial profile. The Buchwald family of this northern region were found in Mecklenburg, West Prussia, Silesia, and their landed property varied greatly in size; they lost and gained territory in numerous feuds with the city of Luebeck and the ruling Counts of Holstein.

Early History of the Buchwalter family

Buchwalter Spelling Variations

Early Notables of the Buchwalter family (pre 1700)

Migration of the Buchwalter family to the New World and Oceana

Contemporary Notables of the name Buchwalter (post 1700)